Durham Family Chiropractic

Health and Wellbeing

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Correct your sitting posture-The Do’s and Don’ts! by Dr Neil Thomas

Sitting is something that we do every day, either as part of our job, commuting or after a long day of work when relaxing on the sofa. The way we sit can however lead to long-term spinal health problems.

Let’s first take a look at the science behind sitting and then discuss how to do it properly. Nachemson and Elfstrom (1970) studied what happens to the intervertebral discs (IVDs) during different seating positions. The pressure that occurs within your IVDs when you sit (especially between the 3rd and 4th lumbar vertebrae) is at its least when the spine and hips are at 100 and 110 degrees. Sitting with your hips at 80 or 90 degrees results in IVD pressure increasing upwards of nearly 200%. The diagram below demonstrates IVD pressure when sitting in various positions according to the study done by Nachemson and Elfstrom.

[Read more…] about Correct your sitting posture-The Do’s and Don’ts! by Dr Neil Thomas

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Essential Vitamin D

Did you know that Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones, teeth and muscles?

 We need vitamin D to help the body absorb calcium and phosphate from our diet. These minerals are important for healthy bones, teeth and muscles. The body creates vitamin D from direct sunlight on the skin when outdoors.

According to the NHS, a lack of vitamin D can lead to bone deformities such as rickets in children, and bone pain caused by a condition called osteomalacia in adults.

During the spring and summer months, most people should be able to get all the vitamin D they need from sunlight. However, in the UK, the winter sunlight doesn’t contain enough UVB radiation for our skin to be able to make vitamin D. During these months, we rely on getting our vitamin D from food sources and supplements. Using sunbeds is not a recommended way of making vitamin D.

[Read more…] about Essential Vitamin D

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Autumn Harvest

Leaves are turning gold, the air is feeling crisp, and our thoughts are turning to bonfires, pumpkins and Halloween. For astronomy fans, Autumn also means it’s time for the Harvest Moon. This is the name given to the first full moon that takes place closest to the Autumn equinox. The name Harvest Moon comes from when farmers would need to start gathering in crops to prepare for the winter months. They used the bright moonlight to extend the working day. This year, it will takes place Friday 13 September 2019

So what’s in season this Autumn?

Fruit: Apples, Blackberries, Damsons, Elderberries, Pears, Plums, Quince and Sloes

Vegetables: Beetroot, Carrot, Celeriac, Mushrooms, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Marrow, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Rocket, Sorrel, Squashes, Sweetcorn, Tomatoes and Watercress

Not only does it make economic sense to eat seasonal fresh fruit and vegetables that are more readily available, but it has health benefits too, because foods in season contain the nutrients and trace elements that our bodies need at particular times of the year. For example, butternut squash and apples are packed with vitamin C, which boosts our resistance to winter colds. [Read more…] about Autumn Harvest

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The real effects of flip flops on your body.

 

During these summer months most of us ladies love to get our feet into those flip flops. We love to let our feet breathe and show off our painted toes.  Well that all sounds wonderful, and who am I to spoil that, particularly as I love to wear them too!

However it is a growing concern that heel pain is growing among young people ages 15 to 25 years. Some experts and parents cite wearing flip flops daily as the main cause. Flip flop wearers take short strides and turn their ankles inward. Long term ankle and hip problems are a cause for concern. [Read more…] about The real effects of flip flops on your body.

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Take the Plunge

Summer has us looking for the nearest beach or pool to cool down, but did you know that as well as being fun, swimming is a great way to keep fit, stay healthy and make friends. Swimming is a healthy activity that you can continue for a lifetime. It is a low-impact activity that has many physical and mental health benefits.

No matter what your fitness level, there are many general benefits of swimming. A simple half hour of leisure swimming is said to burn 220 calories, in comparison to the 99 calories burnt when walking for the same time period.

Swimming.org has offered us a good reason to take the plunge [Read more…] about Take the Plunge

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Sun Sense

Not only does sunshine make us feel good, but sunshine is vital for our bodies to produce Vitamin D. Did you know that Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones, teeth and muscles?

 We need vitamin D to help the body absorb calcium and phosphate from our diet. These minerals are important for healthy bones, teeth and muscles. Vitamin D is also linked to blood sugar regulation. Sunshine is said to lower blood pressure and reduce inflammation. The body creates vitamin D from direct sunlight on the skin when outdoors. According to the NHS, a lack of vitamin D can lead to bone deformities such as rickets in children, and bone pain in adults.

During the spring and summer months, most people should be able to get all the vitamin D they need from sunlight. So this being said, what about the dangers of too much sun? Sun exposure has links to premature skin aging and skin cancer. Sunbeds are no safer. “Over exposure to UV light, either from sun or sunbeds is the main cause of skin cancer,” says Cancer Research UK. [Read more…] about Sun Sense